Mount Gambier and District Saleyards

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (15:09): My question is to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development regarding the Mount Gambier saleyards:

1. During the Premier's and the minister's recent trip to Mount Gambier, did the Premier and the minister meet with the District Council of Grant to discuss, among other things, the Mount Gambier saleyards upgrade project?

2. Given that this project has been overlooked for funding by the federal government, is the state government willing to consider funding the $7.2 million shortfall to ensure this vital upgrade for the South-East can proceed?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:10): I thank the honourable member for his question. The issue of the upgrade of the Mount Gambier saleyards of course has been ongoing for a little while now. Prior to the 2022 election, the then Labor opposition made a commitment to provide some state government funding if we were fortunate enough to be elected at the following state election, in order to help Grant district council to progress this important initiative.

It was of course in tandem with their request for federal funding. I understand they have made several applications to federal grant programs. The first was under the former federal Liberal government and it did not progress under that government. I understand there have been two rounds since from the current federal government and, although they have had positive feedback on the project, they have not yet been successful in gaining federal funds. I recall that following the then Labor opposition's commitment to provide funds, the then Marshall Liberal government matched that commitment.

I have met with the Grant district council on quite a number of occasions about this matter. At the most recent meeting they said that they were intending to have further internal discussions about how they may be able to rescope that project and would come back to me when that had occurred. As yet, they have not done so.